Rings & Things Design Gallery

Polymer Clay Category

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 16:44:35 GMT

Jasper at Night

Artist: Christina Cassidy (Gainesville, FL)

"I've recently "discovered" gemstone tube beads and the color and patterns have inspired me to no end. The bas-relief polymer horse centerpiece was originally made as a brooch, but it matched so well with the picture jasper beads, I reset it as a choker." � Christina Cassidy

Additional Top Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2005 Additional Top Picks, see our very first contest winners (2004), or check for details about our most recent contest!
63 views
Oct 03, 2005

Mostly Metal Category

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 00:20:58 GMT

Rings of Copper

Artist: Patti Kaplan (Pittsburgh, PA)

Patti found the blue copper wire in this bracelet at a scrap yard, but didn�t know what to do with it for a long time. One day, as she sold a gold Byzantine bracelet at her store in Pittsburgh, the solution dawned on her: "I could do the same link with a different medium." Using 14-gauge copper wire to supplement the blue copper wire found at the scrap yard, Patti wove this piece with the thought that "teenagers and boys would not only love the design, but the price too!"

Additional Top Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2005 Additional Top Picks, see our very first contest winners (2004), or check for details about our most recent contest!
43 views
Sep 30, 2005

Mostly Metal Category

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 23:42:38 GMT

Sparkle and Swirl

Artist: Lynn Kvigne (Underwood, IA)

"I absolutely love the ability to free form with wire! It unleashes the creativity I adore, and allows me to swirl, twist and create shapes that have no twin anywhere. This centerpiece was created one Sunday afternoon on my deck. I cut seven pieces of sterling wire, gazed out at the scenery (we live on an acreage and there's plenty to look at!) and shaped, twisted and swirled to my heart's delight. Arranging the seven separate "doodles" into an eye-pleasing asymmetrical design, I hooked them together with hand-made jump rings, and decided they needed some sparkle. The Swarovski� [bicone bead] dangles add definition and keep the pieces hanging straight. The matching earrings are a little less crazy, but still keep that same sparkle and swirl mindset, and complete my look. This is one of my favorite pieces to wear, and it always draws compliments!" � Lynn Kvigne

Additional Top Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2005 Additional Top Picks, see our very first contest winners (2004), or check for details about our most recent contest!
52 views
Sep 30, 2005

Mostly Metal Category

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 23:42:30 GMT

Nightfall

Artist: Stephanie Heitner (Spokane, WA)

"I wanted to make something that was fun and funky, yet classically elegant and beautiful at the same time. For me, this necklace and earring set encompasses all of these. Using 20-gauge sterling silver wire and sterling jump rings, I created the
chain, embellishing it with gemstones of blue [blue goldstone]. Then I added the spiral dangles ... This is a set to go out and about in the night with, hence the name!" � Stephanie Heitner

Additional Top Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2005 Additional Top Picks, see our very first contest winners (2004), or check for details about our most recent contest!
48 views
Sep 30, 2005

Glass Category

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 23:41:36 GMT

Egyptian Nights
Artist: Elena Zusmanovich (San Francisco, CA)

Elena made this dramatic evening-wear set with seed and bugle beads on Nymo� beading thread. "This time I wanted to make something bold, dramatic and provocative for the [contest] in Egyptian style. I browsed old photos of silent-movies stars until [I] came to my own idea � ," said Elena.

Additional Top Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2005 Additional Top Picks, see our very first contest winners (2004), or check for details about our most recent contest!
33 views
Sep 30, 2005

Glass Category

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 23:41:27 GMT

Peridot Ladybugs
Artist: LeAnne Brown (Seattle, WA)

"Beautiful peridot ladybugs found in the Rings and Things catalog inspired me to create this cheerful necklace. The natural peridot chips coordinate nicely with the peridot-colored ladybugs. Black accents with sterling silver components dress up the piece. The stylish, multi-strand necklace looks great with black or the popular shades of bright green found in today's fashions. The adjustable toggle clasp allows for a perfect fit." � LeAnne Brown

Additional Top Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2005 Additional Top Picks, see our very first contest winners (2004), or check for details about our most recent contest!
60 views
Sep 30, 2005

Glass Category

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 23:41:17 GMT

Little Princess

Artist: Elena Zusmanovich (San Francisco, CA)

Using various sizes of crystal faux pearls, Elena made this stitched piece with youngsters in mind: "I wanted to make a necklace for a girl � something tender, gentle � just what little princesses like."

Additional Top Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2005 Additional Top Picks, see our very first contest winners (2004), or check for details about our most recent contest!
51 views
Sep 30, 2005

Gemstones & Pearls

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 23:41:06 GMT

A Wee Gem

Artist: Karen McKeown (Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland)

The festive centerpiece of this necklace is made with a pastel mix of wire-wrapped gemstone chips. In addition to the materials, Karen said this piece "includes a lot of blood and sweat � this is free!"

Additional Top Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2005 Additional Top Picks, see our very first contest winners (2004), or check for details about our most recent contest!
49 views
Sep 30, 2005

Polymer Clay Category

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 23:38:23 GMT

The Green Man

Artist: Cheryl Moore (Staunton, VA)

Cheryl used a hand-carved leaf-shaped bone pendant (now discontinued) to stamp embellishments into the sculpey surface of this wall mask depicting the mischievous Celtic god of nature and fertility. Of the final effect, Cheryl says "I think I see life in those eyes."

Additional Top Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2005 Additional Top Picks, see our very first contest winners (2004), or check for details about our most recent contest!
38 views
Sep 30, 2005

Polymer Clay Category

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 23:38:08 GMT

Callas

Artist: Christina Cassidy (Gainesville, FL)

"This is a simple bas-relief design of my favorite flower, the elegant calla lily, on a dark background. I work with my hands and small tools, most of which I've made myself, to make the flowers and attach them to the flat pieces." � Christina Cassidy

See Rings & Things' selection of polymer-clay tools.

Additional Top Picks are designs our editor especially liked despite the fact that they did not win a formal prize. These designs are often simple, practical and/or whimsical examples of how to use Rings & Things components well.

View more 2005 Additional Top Picks, see our very first contest winners (2004), or check for details about our most recent contest!
44 views
Sep 30, 2005